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(No Model.)

G. A. REYNOLDS. LAST.

Patented A 0 miimes es N. PETERS. Phulo-Lrlhogr-lphln Washington. 9.6.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

GEORGE A. EEYNOLDs, OF UTIOA, NEW YORK.

-LAST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 297,633, dated April 29, 1884:.

I Application filed January 25, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. REYNOLDS, of the city of Utica, in the county of Oneida and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Lasts; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,elear,' and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures. marked thereon.

My invention and discovery relate to that class of mechanism consisting of a last formed in two sections from malleable or gray iron or other suitable material capable of being molded or pressed into proper shape for the manufacture of rubber boots and shoes; and it consists in a perforation of the last above the line of the rubber shoe, to form air-passages for the free circulation of heated air when the boot or shoe is undergoing the baking process.

Heretofore lasts have been provided and used formed from wood, which are liable when used to shrink, and in the different stages of manufacturing rubber shoes the same are sub jected to extreme heat, which rapidly destroys the wooden last.

To simplify the process of manufacturing rubber shoes and to shorten the time of manufacturing the same, it is found advantageous to use a metallic last manufactured of iron as the best conductor of heat.

My invention consists in forming a last in two parts from the metal before described, with the shank of the last above the rubber line perforated. It is obvious that these perforations may be changed into a variety of forms and shapes without interfering with the usefulness of my invention. In providing alast for manufacturing rubber shoes it is necessary to have the projecting shank to enable the operator to handle the last when therubber is applied to the last preparatory to applying the baking process.

Having described the nature and construction of myinvention, Iwill now proceed to describe it in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which'similar letters refer to similar parts throughout.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the last with the perforations above the rubberline. Fig. 2 represents a section of my improved last with the perforations indicated. Fig. 3 represents a section of the same. Fig. 4 represents a top view of the shank.

Having described my invention inreference to the figures indicated in the drawings, I will now proceed to describe it more in detail, in Which- A represents a section of the last with aline running from the toe to the heel through the center of the last.

B represents the other section of the last.

0 represents a side elevation of my improved last. The line represents the rubber-line.

This may be varied according to the wishes of the person who uses the same.

E represents the. perforations in the sections of the last, which form the whole when together.

d represents the top of the shank. The top of this shank is adapted to receive the leg ordinarily used in manufacturing rubber boots. The shank is also perforated with holes. This may also be varied to suit the wishes of the person using the same without interfering with the usefulness of my invention.

f f represent two holes in the shank of the last. shape.

a represents the lug or projection.

1) represents a corresponding recess in the heel of the last.

h represents a corresponding lug at the toe.

M represents a corresponding recess,to guide and hold the parts in shape when placed together.

n represents rivets, which secure the two sections of the last rigidly together. The seam formed by the union of the two sides of the last is reduced to be filled by solder or other suitable cement, so as to form a smooth surface, to prevent seams in the shoes manufactured on the last.

I am aware that cast metallic lasts have been heretofore provided formed in two sections, secured by screws,and adapted to be expanded and contracted by means thereof, designed to receive between the sections strips of metal These may also be varied'in form and to expand or contract the width of the boot 2. A metallic shell-last provided withapcror shoe without changing the length. These forated shank portion, as shown, composed of 10 I do not claim. sections which are iointed and cemented, all

XVhatI claim as new, and desire to secure by substantially as set forth. 5 Letters Patent, is- GEORGE A. REYNOLDS.

1. A metallic shell-last provided with an \Vitnesses: upper perforated shank portion, substantially EDWIN H. RIsLEY as and for the purposes stated, I \VILLIAM 1. QUIN. 

